n a vasectomy, the
two vas deferens (the
tubes through which
the sperm usually
leave each testis in the scrotum) are cut and
tied off, so any new sperm produced thereafter
no longer make it into the ejaculate. Remaining
sperm in the seminal vesicles generally flushes
out in 15 to 20 ejaculations, and a test is usually
performed two to three months after the
procedure to ensure there are no more sperm
in the ejaculate. Until then it is best to continue
using another form of contraception.
The major benefits of a vasectomy are that
it is permanent, highly effective and does
not require any action by the female partner.
She is therefore not subject to any side
effects or reactions to oral contraceptive pills,
depot injections, implants or vaginal rings, or
complications from intra-uterine devices.

IS A VASECTOMY
A GOOD OPTION?
The operation takes about half an hour and
usually requires only local anaesthetic. There may
be a brief sensation of aching in the testes during
the procedure and for a few days afterwards.
One should avoid heavy physical work and
sexual activity for a few days after the procedure.
While it is possible to have a reversal
vasectomy procedure, known as a
vasovasostomy, it does not always work. It is
also more complex, usually requiring general
anaesthetic. Sperm count recovery is gradual
and variable, depending on the man’s age and
the length of time since the original vasectomy.
A vasectomy is a great contraceptive option
if you and your partner are certain you do
not want to conceive, especially if the female
partner has had difficulties with the pill or other
contraceptive methods. However, if either of you
have the slightest inkling of doubt, you should
take your time before leaping in!

■ Dr Cindy Pan has had over 10 years of clinical practice experience. Her books include Pandora’s Box:
Lifting The Lid On Life’s Little Nasties (HarperCollins) and Playing Hard To Get (HarperCollins). She
appears on television, lectures and speaks about all aspects of health, relationships and wellbeing.

P

ermanent contraceptives are positive
options for individuals in long-term,
stable relationships. They provide
a simple solution that solves the
stress and anxiety of other methods of
contraception. Offering these choices is
highly beneficial and I’m grateful that today’s
medicine provides these options.
When you consider permanent
contraception, one of the partners will have to
undergo a procedure. Either option means the
days of worrying about contraception are over
(technically). Couples often consider vasectomy
as the best option as it poses the least risk
for either partner compared with female
sterilisation (tubal ligation).
Men often need to get over the hurdle of
worrying about impotence and surgery “down
there”, but a vasectomy is simply an operation
that blocks the tubes that carry sperm to the

THE NATUROPATH
LEAH HECHTMAN
penis. There should be
no effect to erection or
enjoyment of sex.
After a vasectomy
there is unfortunately no turning back and the
procedure should be considered permanent.
There is a slight chance of the tubes rejoining
naturally, and 80 per cent of these failures
occur within two months of the procedure. As
such, only consider the procedure if you’re in a
long-term, stable relationship and if you don’t
want to have any children.
There is a procedure known as a
vasovasostomy (reversal), however, success is
variable and often other fertility complications
can ensue. It is important to remember that it is
a surgical procedure and that all surgeries have
inherent risks. It does not offer any protection
from STIs, so some men will go through the
procedure and still need to use condoms.

■ Leah Hechtman is a naturopath and fertility specialist. She is a lecturer, author, researcher and
industry consultant and has her own clinical practice in Sydney, NSW. She specialises in fertility,
reproductive and psychological health. For more information visit www.naturalhealthfertility.com

Hollywood

turns its back

on plastic surgery!

The Revolutionary New Light Therapy Treatment taking Hollywood by Storm.
In Hollywood, a town where anyone over
the age of 25 is considered to be past their
prime, maintaining a youthful appearance
is paramount to getting work. It comes as
no surprise then that all the big name stars
have an army of skincare experts on speed
dial to slice them, dice them and keep them
looking young.
But whilst plastic surgery and Botox®
have been the treatments of choice for
decades, a growing number of Hollywood
celebrities are now turning to a new less
invasive anti-aging technology known as
photo-rejuvenation. Celebrity stylist David
Babaii,
abaii, whose
whos client list
reads like a Who’s
Who of Hollywood’s
superstars, including
Angelina
n
Jolie,
Uma
m Thurman
and Sarah-Jessica
Parker,
arke says “Many of
my
big-name clients
y bigare
steering away from
re steer
cosmetic
osmetic surgery in favour
of photo-rejuvenation
photowhich
i offers results that
are
re softe
softer and more
natural”
natural”.
ELITE TREATMENT FINALLY
ACCESSIBLE
ACCESS
ntil n
Until
now, the
only way of

experiencing photo-rejuvenation was to visit
a dermatologist, cosmetic clinic or high-end
beauty salon that had spent thousands on
a professional LED lamp. However, thanks to
advances in optical technology, an Australian
company has created an affordable,
hand-held device called the SKIN PHYSICS
PHOTON™ which uses the same anti-aging
technology as the expensive, professional
grade machines. “It’s now possible to get
very powerful LEDs at a much lower cost
than 5 years ago,” explains the SKIN PHYSICS
research scientist, Dr. Curtis Crasto. “And
this has enabled us to condense the light
source into a portable device that is both
economical and effective”.
RE-ACTIVATING TIRED SKIN CELLS
The SKIN PHYSICS device pulses gentle
beams of pure red light through the skin
thus stimulating the production of collagen,
elastin and hylauronic acid - essential
building-blocks which keep your skin smooth,
soft and supple.

with red light photo-therapy reported improved
skin tone and 82% reported smoother skin. It
also found that the treatment improved skin
elasticity by 65% and reduced redness and
swelling by 52%.
Research by the Russian Academy of
Sciences in Moscow also indicated that since
red light helps suppress the production of the
key enzyme that causes inﬂammation, it could
help reduce the appearance of redness and
inﬂammation following surgical procedures.
SAFE AND PAIN-FREE
LED photo-therapy is totally safe as LEDs can
isolate beneﬁcial wavelengths and exclude
dangerous ones like UVs. Non-abrasive
and painless, it leads to a noticeable
improvement in skin tone, radiance and
moisture retention.
TRY IT FREE FOR 30 DAYS

IMPRESSIVE CLINICAL RESULTS

SKIN PHYSICS are so convinced that
once you try this breakthrough antiaging technology you will buy it, they
are offering a free 30 day trial to 120
lucky readers. That’s right, for just the
price of postage and handling, they’ll
send you their LED Photo-Rejuvenation
System Kit to try at home. Simply call
1300 291 127 and quote promotions
code BS13SP or log on to
www.skinphysics.com.au.

A study published in the Journal of Cosmetic
Dermatology found 91% of subjects treated

But hurry! Free trials are limited.

“LED light therapy works by giving older,
slower cells the energy they had when they
were young, so they can work harder and
faster to create the substances that prevent
sagging and keep wrinkles at bay”, explains
Sydney plastic surgeon Dr. K. Tavakoli.